Snowy's gar questions

[RedDwarf]

The reason why most people will tell you that you can't keep a RTC with gars is because of the enormous size they attain. Eventually your RTC will get big enough to eat your gar. You could keep them together when the RTC is smaller but it's only a matter of time until you have to remove them. So depending on the size of the fish, you could keep them together for a few years at least.
As to your pickerel question, have never keep them but if they are about the same size and you make sure your gar gets food then it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[snowy]

Next question: can gars be kept with silvery fish(bala sharks, tinfoil barbs, and pinktail chalceus) under any circumstances I've heard that anything silver will stress the gars or cause them to attack the silver fish. So is it one of those combos where its not supposed to work but it can be done, similarly to keeping gars with cichlids, or is it a no-no.

Thanks!

 

[E_americanus]

Next question: can gars be kept with silvery fish(bala sharks, tinfoil barbs, and pinktail chalceus) under any circumstances I've heard that anything silver will stress the gars or cause them to attack the silver fish. So is it one of those combos where its not supposed to work but it can be done, similarly to keeping gars with cichlids, or is it a no-no.

Thanks!

the logic of this question eludes me...there are almost always going to be exceptions to the general rule, but that doesn't mean the exception is the way to go...this has been said over and over and over and over in many threads.

silvery fishes are NOT good tankmate choices for gars, but if you don't mind losing the fish, having it badly damaged, or generally don't mind irresponsible fishkeeping, go for it. one of the major exceptions (but still a hit or miss combo) is silver arows and black arows...i've kept them with gars successfully before if their sizes are similar, and others have had success with it too.

hopefully this thread doesn't turn into a review of all the questions people have ever asked about gars before--
--solomon

 

[snowy]

Next question: how large of a piece of food can a gar swallow Basically what I am asking is should a gar be given food approx 1/5 the body size, 1/4 size, 1/3 size and so on. I'm mostly looking for info specifically on longnoses because of thier more specialized snouts, but info on the other species is also appreciated. Also, how big does a gar have to be to eat 2 inch, 3 inch, and 6-7 inch pieces of food

Thanks!

I guess I'm going to ask this question again but slightly different, as I was not really satisfied with the answers to the question(which is really more my fault than anyones). Ok so can an AVERAGE longnose gar in any of the following size ranges GENERALY eat a piece of/whole smelt in one of the following sizes and with a width of 1 1/2-2 inches when lying on its side. okay size ranges: 8-10 inches, 15-17 inches, 18-20 inches, and around 24-30 inches. As for the diameter of the gar, I really have no idea, but if anyone could PLEASE answer my question on estimating longnose diameter based on length (which I REALLY need answers to) I (or whoever figures it out)could probably figure it out. Smelt sizes: 2 inch piece, 3 inch piece, 6-7 inch whole smelt.For width/hieght of smelt see above.

PLZ answer and thanks!

 

[snowy]

the logic of this question eludes me...there are almost always going to be exceptions to the general rule, but that doesn't mean the exception is the way to go...this has been said over and over and over and over in many threads.

silvery fishes are NOT good tankmate choices for gars, but if you don't mind losing the fish, having it badly damaged, or generally don't mind irresponsible fishkeeping, go for it. one of the major exceptions (but still a hit or miss combo) is silver arows and black arows...i've kept them with gars successfully before if their sizes are similar, and others have had success with it too.

--solomon

Thanks for the reply. I did not meen to sound stupid (although it seems like it was a pretty dum question), But I just wanted to make absolute sure it was a bad combo, as I am very fond of bala sharks etc., and because of your answer, I obviously will not try this.

P.S. if I am really wasting anyones time please let me know and I'll stop posting here

 

[Polypterus]

I guess I'm going to ask this question again but slightly different, as I was not really satisfied with the answers to the question(which is really more my fault than anyones). Ok so can an AVERAGE longnose gar in any of the following size ranges GENERALY eat a piece of/whole smelt in one of the following sizes and with a width of 1 1/2-2 inches when lying on its side. okay size ranges: 8-10 inches, 15-17 inches, 18-20 inches, and around 24-30 inches. As for the diameter of the gar, I really have no idea, but if anyone could PLEASE answer my question on estimating longnose diameter based on length (which I REALLY need answers to) I (or whoever figures it out)could probably figure it out. Smelt sizes: 2 inch piece, 3 inch piece, 6-7 inch whole smelt.For width/hieght of smelt see above.

PLZ answer and thanks!

What? I'm at a loss on what you are even talking about or asking.

 

[xander]

got sum qns...
1-can my gator gar be kept in a 60gal for life?
2-can u id my gator gar sex? he constantly nudges his goldfish-friend. does that mean he wants to mate?


anyways.....snowy reGARding yr feeding qn, it can really be solved with common sense & some good judgement on your part. in other words, if yr gar has been struggling to swallow the asme pc of shrimp for the last hour, it's probably too damn big for it.

 

[snowy]

I guess I'm going to ask this question again but slightly different, as I was not really satisfied with the answers to the question(which is really more my fault than anyones). Ok so can an AVERAGE longnose gar in any of the following size ranges GENERALY eat a piece of/whole smelt in one of the following sizes and with a width of 1 1/2-2 inches when lying on its side. okay size ranges: 8-10 inches, 15-17 inches, 18-20 inches, and around 24-30 inches. As for the diameter of the gar, I really have no idea, but if anyone could PLEASE answer my question on estimating longnose diameter based on length (which I REALLY need answers to) I (or whoever figures it out)could probably figure it out. Smelt sizes: 2 inch piece, 3 inch piece, 6-7 inch whole smelt.For width/hieght of smelt see above.

PLZ answer and thanks!

never mind

 

[snowy]

Next question: Is there any way to estimate the diameter of a longnose based on its length If the relative proportions varies based on size, What is the average diameter of a longnose that is 8-10 inches, 15-17 inches, 18-20, and maybe 24 inches If it depends on the individual(Which I guess it does), what are the average diameters for longnoses of the above mentioned lengths

Sorry if I was confusing and thanks!

 

[snowy]

New question: what is the best species of black bass(LMB, SMB, redeye, spotted etc.) to keep with a gar, specificaly longnose? I have found several reports of black bass with gar in large tanks, so I know it can work, i'm just not sure what species is a better tankmate for a gar. If it matters, the tank would be between 400-800 gallons(not sure about exact size yet).